Western Kansas world. [volume] (WaKeeney, Kan.) 1885-current, 1887-07-02
The BANKERS DAUGHTER.
BY NJ. j. ROY.


house standing at the roadside, surrounded
hy tall elms and naples. 1t looked in the
distance as if the house had been pedes-
trian, grown weary with tramping along
the dusty thoroughfare, and squatted at the
roadside in the shade of that delightful
grove. 1t seemed only to repose there fol
the night, and on the morrow it would take
I'D the march again and resume its journey
A youth stood at the creaky old gate,
resting one elbow upon it, while the palm
Of his hand supported his sunburned chin.
He was young farmer, not over twenty
years of age, and as his dark gray eyes
wandered down the road a sigh escaped
his breast. Wa he to live, grow up, grow
old and die on this little farm? Was he to
wear through few years of such hum
drum life, and then pass away to be for
gotten or only remembered as tiller of
the soil?
Many other ambitious youths have
Sighed for freedom, and dreamed day.
creams of the glory of a brilliant career,
have gone forth to seek fame and fortune,
and sighed far more bitterly for the little
country home and humdrum life they once
thought distasteful than they ever did for
when too late that the fame and glory
which they so srdently desired was not
worth the getting. But other youths will
sigh and dream, and hope for greatness,
as long as the heart has passions and as
long as life has woes.
Walter Russel's eyes wandered down
the broad country road, just as they had
day after day ever since he could remem-
Der. The road, which lie had once thought
led to the end of the world, was the same
old road it had been then. The dark old
forest on either side was just the same.
with the exception that he had explored its
depths, and there was less of the mystery
and awe about it than of yore. The giants,
fairies and COLLINS with which his infantile
Imagination had peopled it were gone, and
with them all the pleasurable enchantment.
"Come in, Walt; what are you standin'
out there for?" called his mother.
Il am looking down the road, mother"
"What dye see?"
Nothing; hear the wheels of car.
riagc."
"Oh, it's some O them high-fyers from
town." said Mrs. Russell, with just the least
bit of sarcasm, which did no credit TO this
really gentle hearted woman.
Suddenly, there was q shrek from up
the road. 1t had grown too dark to dis
tinctly see objects, but from the rafting,
roaring sound of wheels and deafening
clatter of hoofs the young farmer knew that
the horses had become frightened and were
running away.
There was no time to call fof assistance.
The cries of female voices for help ap-
pealed to his manhood, and Walter ran
with the speed Of a reindeer up the road.
The corner of the cow-lot was at the side
of the road, and tied to hickory tree was
a heavy rope which had been used as
swing. On the opposite side Of the road
was another tree, and to seize this rope, fly
across the road, stretch it tight and tie it
hard and fast was but the work of few
seconds.
In fact he had but few seconds in
which to act, for the team was coming
down with the speed of an express train.
No human hand could stay their onward,
headlong flight, and Walter had adopted
the only plan which could possibly save the
people in the carriage.
Having made the rope fast he flew to the
center of the road.
Like mighty engine of destruction,
rolling amid whirling clouds of dust, came
the carriage with redoubled fury at every
moment. The snorts of frightened horse,
clatter of hoofs, roar of wheels, and shrieks
Of inmates could be heard for miles on
that quiet night, and brought the entire
family out of the house.
The horses struck the rope like an ava.
lanche, and made the trees crack and bend,
but the rope held them. There was a
crashing, rolling together, and screams of
terror and pain, all concealed by dense
cloud of dust.
Walter sprang forward and seized the
horses. His father, mother, and sisters
fastened to his aid. The frightened ami
mails were taken from the carriage and tied
to the trees, and then two ladies were lifted
from the carriage. Both were insensible,
and Walter and his father carried them
into the house.
One of them was lady about forty years
of age, while the other was not to exceed
eighteen. Evidently they were mother and
daughter.
Its Mrs. Norton, the bankers wife, and
GAL" cried Mrs. Russell the moment the
rays of the lamp fell on them.
Very tenderly Walter laid the slight,
golden haired girl upon the plain couch,
and stood gazing at the pale, sweet face.
Mrs. Russell ran for her "camp-fire bottle,
and, as neither of the ladies was seriously
injured, they soon recovered and were able
to explain how the accident had occurred.
account Of one of the wheels of the car
riage running into a rut, and the horses,
becoming frightened, ran away. The
coachman, looking rather Inundated, now
came up, and, as the carriage was consid-
erably damaged AID they were unable to
return to the city that night, he was sent
ahead to bring out conveyance for them
next morning.
Walter wanted to 60 the city and bring
out a doctor, but Mrs. Norton declared
there was no need for him to do SO; both
herself and daughter were getting along
very we'll, and neither was injured In the
least by the runaway.
When the large blue eyes Of Miss Ola
Norton fell upon the face Of the robust
young farmer, whose strong arm and clear
brain had doubtless saved her life, those
orbs of heavens own blue dropped, and .
faint blush mantled her face. Walter felt
i'll at ease when Mrs. Norton thanked him
for his noble services. Oh, how hcmely,
plain, and mean the old farmhouse looked
with such elegantly dressed ladies for their
guests He retired from the room as soon
as possible, and passed sleepless night in
the hay.loft